NWSA Conference Presented by American Sailing
June 6–8, 2025 • St. Petersburg, Florida
Conference at a Glance
Knowledge • Skills • Fun
Conference Registration Closes June 4th • Dorm Registration Closes June 1st
General Conference Info
• Two Keynote speakers:
Tracy Edwards, MBE, The Maiden Factor and NWSA Founder
National Sailing Hall of Fame sailor, Doris Colgate
• Three days of classes with 30 classes to choose from
On the water, dockside and classroom choices
• Diesel engine maintenance class with a female instructor
• Island Packet Factory tour
• On campus housing
• Social gathering with Women Who Sail Tampa Bay
• Brunch and fashion show at St. Petersburg Yacht Club
Please find information concerning University of South Florida campus policies, including parking, no-smoking or vaping and alcohol policy.
Please find information concerning cancelation policies here.
Late Reg NWSA Members
April 15 – June 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250
Late Reg Non-Members
April 15 – June 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $325
NWSA Merchandise
The conference committee has made a conscious decision to limit single use water bottles. We will be offering reusable water bottles for sale in case you forget yours.
Schedule at a Glance
8:15 am - 9:00 am Registrants and Instructors Check-in, Breakfast
9:00 am - 9:20 am Opening Remarks
9:30 am - 12:15pm On Water Session 1
9:30 am - 10:45 am On Land Sessions 1
11:00 am - 12:15pm On Land Sessions 2
12:30 pm - 1:50pm 2025 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award Announcement Luncheon and Special Guests
2:00 pm - 4:45 pm On Water Sessions 2
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm On Land Sessions 3
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm On Land Sessions 4
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm WSAs Leadership Forum
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm AdventureSail Social with Founder Doris Colgate, Silent Auction and Raffle Fundraiser
Click here for more details.
Classes at a Glance
Diesel Engine Maintenance - Female Lead
How to Drive a Dinghy - On Water Class
Tour of Mastry Engine Center and Island Packet Yacht Factory
Social gathering with Women Who Sail Tampa Bay
Click here for more detials.
Asymmetrical Spinnaker Handling - On Water Skills
Avoiding Mishaps and Mayhem - On Water Skills
Beginning Sailing - Take the Helm®
Boat Buying and Ownership
Boat Systems
Charting - Beginning Navigation
Crew Overboard Recovery and Life Jacket Activation - On Water Class
Cruising Comfortably
Docking - Intermediate/Advanced - On Water Class
Electrical and Battery Systems
Emergency Response Training Aboard (aka Stop that Leak) - Hands-on
Fiberglass and Gelcoat Repairs
First Aid, Medical Emergencies Onboard
Following the Blue Highway to Paradise in the Bahamas
Heavy Weather from Daysailing to Passagemaking
Introduction to Aqua Map - Hands-On
Life Raft Deployment - Waterside
Outboard Engine Maintenance
Piloting: Charting a course
Prepare for the US Sailing Keelboat Instructor Certification- On Water Skills
Racing Across An Ocean and The Delivery Back
Sail Trim - On Water Class
Stress Free Reefing - On Water Class
Symmetrical Spinnaker Handling - On Water Skills
Wanna Race?
Wind Strategy on the Race Course
Click here for more details.
Tell Your Sailing Story
Weather on the Water
Weekend Cruising in Tampa Bay
Click here for more details.
Accommodiations
Deadline for Dorm Registration is June1st.
• $65 per night for a room in a four bedroom, two bath suite at University of South Florida — St. Pete
• Minutes away from classes, waterfront and downtown St. Petersburg
• Dorms open on Tuesday, June 3. Come early to explore St. Pete
• $35 sheets and blanket package available
Interesting local information here.
The St. Pete-Clearwater area is served by two major Tampa Bay airports: St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA). Both offer many non-stop flights from cities across the nation to the Gulf Coast.
Locally, except for the Friday tours, transportation is not included.
- Friday lunch and tour tickets available for sale
- Friday evening social gathering with Women Who’s Sail Tampa Bay
- Saturday, breakfast, lunch, snacks and evening event heavy hors d’Oeuvres
- Sunday continental breakfast for dorm residents
- Sunday brunch tickets at St Petersburg Yacht Club are available for $30
Support the Conference
We are so grateful for the continued support of conference sponsors. Each year we are able to offer more opportunities for companies, organizations, brands and individuals to reach a targeted audience of women sailing enthusiasts. See our 2025 list of Sponsor Benefits on our conference support information section by clicking here.
The Women's Sailing Foundation will hold an NWSA AdventureSail and Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday evening. Silent Auction and Raffle items of all nautical interest are welcome such as art, jewelry, sailing vacations, sailing school certificates, nautical gear, books and more. Donor names will be acknowledged on the conference website.
All Saturday registrants are invited to attend this fundraiser and welcome our evening Keynote Speaker, Doris Colgate, Founder of NWSA and AdventureSail. Refreshments and music will be enjoyed.
Have an item to donate to help raise funds at our raffle or silent auction? You may click the here to get to the donor form.
Our conference attendees come from across the nation to be inspired by the expertise, wisdom and experience of our volunteer instructors and special interest presenters.
Please, consider putting forth your ideas and skills to participate in our next conference.
Click here for more info.
Thank You to Our 2025 Conference Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Captain Sponsors
Skipper Sponsors
Crew Sponsors
Deck Sponsors
2025 In-Kind Conference Supporters
Boca Ciega Yacht Club * Davis Island Yacht Club * Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Ice Cream
GoDu * GirlsSailing.com * Island Packet Yachts
Mastry Engine Center * Offshore Sailing School * Jan Pehrson * Tampa Sailing Squad Sea Scouts
U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg * U.S. Sailing Safety at Sea * Women Who Sail Tampa Bay
2025 Silent Auction and Raffle Fundraiser Donors
B. Graphic Promos * Coastal Art by Jillian * Elite Island Resorts
Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Ice Cream * GoDu * Island Computer Consulting * Kohen Educational Services
LouiseTaylorWriter.com * Louisiana Sailing School, LLC * Mustang Survival * Mantus Anchors
Offshore Sailing School * Ramona Angelo-Author and Therapeutic Coach * Speed & Smarts
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